Pear tree, ‘Carolina Gold’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of pear tree  Pyrus communis  L and which is denominated varietally as ‘Carolina Gold’ and which produces a relatively large russetted colored pear which is mature for harvesting and shipment on or after August 29 th  under the ecological conditions prevailing near Phoenix, Oreg.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new, novel and distinct variety ofpear tree, Pyrus communis, and which has been denominated varietally as‘Carolina Gold,’ hereinafter.

ORIGIN

The present variety of pear tree was discovered by the inventor withinthe cultivated region of his orchard, in 2003, as a chance, naturallyoccurring mutation of a ‘Bartlett’ pear tree (unpatented) that was thenfour years old. The particular tree upon which the naturally occurringmutation was found had previously been trained into a central leadersystem. The mutation occurred along the central axis of the tree at apoint of about 90 cm. from the orchard floor. The mutation wasidentified during harvesting operations, and was marked for subsequentobservation and repropagation thereafter.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

The asexual reproduction of this new and distinct variety of pear treewas accomplished by grafting the mutation onto existing pear trees whichwere then four years. The existing pear trees had been grafted ontoPyrus betulaefolia pear rootstock (unnamed). This first asexualrepropagation of the present variety was made in the same orchard ofdiscovery which is located at 3721 Colver Road in Phoenix, Oreg. Thefruit produced from this first asexual reproduction were subsequentlyexamined and compared against the fruit produced from the originallydiscovered mutation. All the characteristics of the originally mutatedtree and its fruit have been established and transmitted through thissucceeding asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Carolina Gold’ is a new and distinct variety of pear tree whichproduces fruit which are considered equal to or larger than the fruitproduced from the parent ‘Bartlett’ pear tree and which further has arussetted skin color which is quite distinctive relative to the fruitproduced by the ‘Bartlett’ pear tree (unpatented) at full commercialmaturity. In addition to the foregoing, the present variety holds wellon the tree, and further the variety can be successfully harvested overa period of two or three weeks, if necessary. The present variety has adate of harvesting which is about 10 days, to as much as two weeks laterthan ‘Bartlett’ pear trees growing in the same geographical area, andunder similar environmental conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing which is provided is a color photograph of thenew present variety. The photograph depicts two mature fruit both ofwhich have been dissected substantially in the longitudinal plane andwhich reveals the flesh and the external coloration of the fruit isfurther shown. Additionally, the photograph displays a sample vegetativeshoot bearing typical leaves. The colors in this photograph are asnearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of thistype. Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leavesand fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future colorreferences should be made to the color plates as provided in The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 3^(rd) Edition, and the descriptionsas provided for hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of pear tree, the following has been observed duringthe 2005 fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing atorchards which are located near Phoenix, Oreg. All major color codedesignations are by reference to the R.H.S. Colour Chart, 3^(rd) Editionprovided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. Commoncolor names are also occasionally used.

-   Tree:    -   -   Vigor.—Average to above average in vigor and considered            somewhat more vigorous than the parent ‘Bartlett’ pear tree            variety (unpatented). The tree as described herein was 6            years old at the time of this description (2005).        -   Hardiness.—The present variety is hardy when grown under the            climatic conditions prevailing in the Medford pear-growing            district of Oregon.        -   Form.—Generally speaking, it is upright to            upright-spreading.        -   Size.—Height — 5.2 meters to about 5.5 meters.        -   Size.—Width — About 2.74 meters when grown in an orchard,            and wherein the rows have a width of about 4.27 meters.        -   Current season growth.—About 38 cm. to as much as 114 cm. on            vigorous current season shoots.        -   Pruning.—The present variety has been pruned annually into a            central leader system and wherein a single trunk is            maintained in a vertical position with smaller secondary            limbs arising from the central leader.        -   Productivity.—Productive.        -   Regularity of bearing.—The tree bears fruit regularly year            after year.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Considered average in size, and having a            measurement of about 13 cm. to about 14 cm. when measured at            a distance of about 20 cm. above ground level.        -   Bark surface.—Generally — Variable and considered roughened            and slightly cracked with areas of light scarfskin.            Remaining areas of the bark are relatively smooth.        -   Bark color.—Generally speaking, it is considered grey (Fan            4, Sheet 201-C).        -   Bark lenticels.—Numbers — Numerous and further exhibiting a            flattened oval appearance.        -   Bark lenticels.—Surface Texture — Rough, calloused and            slightly raised.        -   Bark lenticels.—Size — About 1 mm. to about 8 mm. in width;            and about 1 to about 1.5 mm. in height.        -   Bark lenticels.—Color — Brown (Fan 4, Sheet 166-D).-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Average in size and diameter for the species. The            largest branches arising from the central tree axis range in            size from about 5 mm. to 6 cm. in diameter at their base.        -   Surface texture.—Similar to the trunk as described above.            The surface texture is considered relatively smooth with            light netting and scarfskin present.        -   Branch lenticels.—Numbers — Moderate.        -   Branch color.—Grey (Fan 4, Sheet 201-C).        -   Lateral branches.—Size — Ranging from 1 mm. to about 3.5 cm.            in diameter at the base.        -   Lateral branches.—Color — The color of 2 year old and older            lateral branches surfaces is grey (Fan 4, Sheet 201-D).        -   2 year old lateral shoots.—Surface Texture — Considered            relatively smooth and having light scattered pubescence, or            none at all.        -   2 year old lateral wood.—Lenticels — Present and variable in            form from roughly oval to nearly diamond shaped in the            vertical plane.        -   Lenticels.—Numbers — Numerous and variable in form.        -   Lenticels.—Size — About 1.5 mm. to about 3 mm. in width; and            about 1.5 mm. to about 4.5 mm. in height.        -   Lenticels.—Surface Texture — Considered calloused.        -   Lenticels.—Surface Color — Calloused lenticels have a            brownish color (Fan 4, Sheet 166-D).        -   Color.—Current Season Growth — Variable from Brown (Fan 4,            Sheet 199-A), on more mature shoots; to a green color (Fan            3, Sheet 152-A) on less mature shoots.        -   Current seasons shoots.—Surface Texture — Relatively smooth            with light pubescence and having numerous brown lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Current Season Growth — The lenticels are roughly            oval in form with a vertical measurement varying from about            1.5 mm. to about 3.5 mm. in height, and varying in width            from about 1 mm. to about 2 mm.        -   Current season shoots.—Internode Length — Variable. However,            most commonly from about 20 mm. to about 35 mm. between            nodes.        -   Spurs.—Generally — Usually can be found along older lateral            branches.        -   Spurs.—Size — About 4 mm. to about 6 mm. in diameter at            their base, and about 10 mm. to as much as 50 mm. in length.        -   Spurs.—Internode Length — Variable and generally speaking            within a range of about 2 mm. to about 6 mm. between the            nodes.        -   Spurs.—Surface Texture — Considered similar to that of 2            year old and older lateral shoots. Spurs — Color — Brown            (Fan 4, Sheet 201-D).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Generally considered medium for the species.            Measurements of the present leaves have been taken from            those leaves growing near mid-shoot on upright and vigorous            current season shoots.        -   Length.—About 7.2 cm. to about 12.5 cm., including the leaf            petiole.        -   Width.—About 4 cm. to about 6 cm.        -   Thickness.—Considered average for the species. That is            neither unusually thick, nor unusually thin. This            characteristic is not distinctive of the present variety.        -   Surface texture.—Upper Leaf Surface — Pubescent, however,            the pubescence is widely scattered.        -   Surface texture.—Lower Leaf Surface — More pubescent            relatively speaking than the upper surface.        -   Surface texture.—Moderately rugose, and more so in relative            comparison to the leaves of the ‘Bartlett’ pear tree.        -   Leaf glands.—No leaf glands are present on the leaf.        -   Leaf form.—Generally — Variable, that is from ovate to            broadly ovate, and less frequently approaching obovate.        -   Leaf apices.—Shape — Variable. Most frequently, these leaf            apices are acute in form, but rounded and acuminate forms            can also be found.        -   Leaf base.—Shape — Variable from rounded to moderately            acute. The leaves are only moderately folded upwardly from            the mid-rib.        -   Leaf color.—Upper Leaf Surface — Green (Fan 3, Sheet 137-B).        -   Leaf color.—Lower Leaf Surface — Light green (Fan 3, Sheet            138-C).        -   Leaf vein coloration.—Yellow-Green (Fan 3, Sheet 145-B).            This color appears on both the upper and lower leaf            surfaces.        -   Leaf margin.—Shape — Considered variable, but most            frequently serrate in form with relatively large serrations.            The serration apices are rather oblique.        -   Leaf marginal form.—Considered moderately undulate.        -   Leaf petioles.—Size — Generally considered average for the            species.        -   Leaf petioles.—Length — Variable from 16 mm. to as much as            36 mm. in length.        -   Leaf petioles.—Thickness — About 1 mm. to about 2 mm. in            thickness when measured at mid-petiole.        -   Petiole color.—Yellow-Green (Fan 3, Sheet 145-B), and having            areas of darker green coloration along ridges which subtend            the petiole groove (Fan 3, Sheet 144-B).        -   Petiole surface texture.—Lightly pubescent. The pubescence            is finely scattered. Still further, the pubescence is more            dense in and around the petiole groove.        -   Leaf stipules.—Numbers — Considered average in frequency and            typically arising from the leaf petiole.        -   Leaf stipules.—Position — Typically found in a region which            is about 1 mm. to about 8 mm. above the base of the petiole.        -   Leaf stipules.—Length — About 8 mm. to about 12 mm.        -   Leaf petioles.—Width — About 0.5 mm. to about 1 mm. in width            when measured across the stipule base.        -   Leaf stipules.—Form — Considered linear lanceolate.        -   Leaf stipules.—Marginal form — The margins are considered            serrate in shape. These serrations are relatively low and            widely spaced.        -   Leaf stipules.—Color — Variable, most frequently a            yellow-green (Fan 3, Sheet 145-C).        -   Bloom timing.—Date of first bloom for the new variety was            Apr. 17, 2006. Date of full bloom was Apr. 23, 2006. Full            bloom occurred from 2 to 3 days later for the ‘Carolina            Gold’ in comparison with the parent ‘Bartlett’ pear trees at            the same location. This date of bloom would be considered as            midseason for the species.        -   Flower size.—Flower size is average for the species.            Diameter of the flower ranges from 25 mm. to 34 mm. at full            expansion. At times, the flower petals remain slightly            cupped inwards at full maturity.        -   Bloom quantity.—The quantity of bloom produced by the tree            is abundant. Bloom quantity is slightly less that the parent            ‘Bartlett’. The number of flowers produced from each floral            bud is variable, but most frequently is 5.

The flower petals are medium in size, ranging from 13 mm. to 15 mm. inlength and from 11 mm. to 13 mm. in width. Petal number is 5 per flower.Petal form is somewhat variable, most frequently slightly obovate by attimes nearly oval. Petal color is white (Fan 4, Sheet 155-D). The petalclaw is short and truncate in form. Claw width ranges from 1.5 mm. to2.0 mm. at the base. Petal margins are variable, from smooth tomoderately undulate. Petal apices are also variable, from uniformlyrounded to occasionally notched or folded inwards.

-   -   -   Flower pedicel.—Size of the pedicel ranges from 12 mm. to            15 mm. in length and from 1.0 mm. to 2.0 mm in thickness at            mid-pedicel. Pedicel color is green (Fan 3, Sheet 144-C).            The pedicel surface is highly pubescent with moderately long            individual hairs.        -   Floral nectaries.—The nectaries are dark yellow-green in            color (Fan 3, Sheet 152-C).        -   Flower calyx.—The calyx surface is highly pubescent, with            the hairs somewhat matted and downy in appearance. Calyx            color is a bronze-green (Fan 3, Sheet 152-B).        -   Flower sepals.—The sepals are linear lanceolate in form with            the apices somewhat reflexed downwards. The sepals range            from 6 mm. to 8 mm. in length and from 2.5 mm. to 3.5 mm. in            width across the base. The exterior (lower) surface of the            sepals is lightly pubescent and light green in color (Fan 3,            Sheet 145-B). The interior (upper) sepal surface is highly            pubescent, with many relatively long and somewhat matted            hairs. Color of the interior surface is a greenish-brown            (Fan 3, Sheet 153-D).        -   Anthers and pollen.—Anther size is average, ranging from            1.0 mm. to 1.5 mm. in length and averaging 1.0 mm. in            thickness. Anther color is purple-red (Fan 2, Sheet 60-C)            both ventrally and dorsally. Pollen quantity is abundant.            Pollen color is yellow (Fan 1, Sheet 8-C).        -   Stamens.—Stamen length ranges from 5 mm. to 7 mm. The stamen            length varies somewhat from about equal to the height of the            pistil to very slightly shorter than the pistil at full            extension. Filament color is white (Fan 4, Sheet 155-C).        -   Pistil.—The pistil has five styles. Overall length varies            from 6.5 mm. to 7.5 mm. The pistil surface is glabrous.            Pistil color is a pale green (Fan 3, Sheet 145-C).        -   Pollination.—No controlled pollination studies have been            done with the ‘Carolina Gold’ pear, so its pollination            requirements are currently unknown. The original limb            mutation is located within an orchard of standard ‘Bartlett’            pear trees and the original limb produces commercial volumes            of fruit on a regular basis. The presence of seeds within            the ‘Carolina Gold’ fruit at that location would seem to            indicate the ability to cross-pollinate with the ‘Bartlett’            variety.

-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—The fruit of the new variety is            described at full commercial maturity.        -   Date of harvesting.—Aug. 29, 2005 under the ecological            conditions prevailing at Phoenix, Oreg. This date of            harvesting could be extended over a period of more than two            weeks, if necessary, because the fruit holds well on the            tree. During the 2004 harvesting season, fruit of the            present variety was harvested during the first week of            September. This date of harvesting is 10 days to as much as            two weeks later than that of the Bartlett pear tree            (unpatented) at the same geographical location.        -   Size.—Generally — Considered large for the species and equal            to or slightly larger than the fruit produced by the            ‘Bartlett’ pear tree (unpatented).        -   Average diameter.—About 68 mm. to about 77 mm.        -   Average height.—About 88 mm. to about 115 mm.        -   Fruit form.—Generally — Pyriform in its longitudinal aspect            and having a moderate amount of variability in the length of            the neck.        -   Fruit form.—Transverse Section — Considered globose with a            slight amount of compression.        -   Fruit uniformity.—The fruit appears quite uniform and            symmetrical throughout the tree.        -   Fruit stem.—Length — Variable from about 18 mm. to about            28 mm. Occasionally, stems over 30 mm. in length can be            found.        -   Stem.—Thickness — 4.5 mm. to 7 mm. when measured at mid            stem. The stem appears thicker at both ends, and has a            diameter of about 6 mm. to about 8 mm.        -   Stem.—Shape — The stems are usually curved, with an            attachment angle at the fruit neck varying from apical to            oblique.        -   Stem color.—Brownish at commercial maturity, and having some            greenish tones. (Fan 3, Sheet 152-A).        -   Stem.—Surface Texture — Glabrous.        -   Stem.—Lenticels — Numerous, small and irregularly shaped            lenticels can be found.        -   Lenticels.—Size — About 0.5 mm. to about 1.5 mm. in            diameter.        -   Lenticels.—Color — Light tan-brown (Fan 4, Sheet 165-C).        -   Stem cavity.—Shape — Globose and occasionally unevenly oval.        -   Stem cavity.—Width — Considered narrow. From about 5 mm. to            about 8 mm. in diameter.        -   Stem cavity.—Depth — Considered shallow, about 3 mm. to            about 4 mm.        -   Stem cavity.—Surface Texture — Ridging can appear within the            stem cavity. Further, where the stem enters, the stem cavity            is wide, and relatively obtuse.        -   Stem cavity.—Shoulders — Considered rounded.        -   Fruit basin.—Shape — Considered globose and moderately            narrow and shallow.        -   Fruit basin.—Width — Variable from about 15 mm. to about 20            mm.        -   Fruit basin.—Depth — About 2 mm. to about 4 mm.        -   Fruit basin.—Shoulders — Rounded, and the basin sides vary            from smooth to moderately undulate.        -   Fruit basin.—Surface Texture — Completely russetted and            netted. Typically, concentric lines of netting encircle the            calyx opening.        -   Calyx sepals.—Generally — Persistent, and are typically            slight separated from each other from the basal attachment.        -   Calyx opening.—Shape — Variable from closed to partially            open.        -   Calyx tubes.—Length — About 10 mm. to about 13 mm.        -   Calyx tubes.—Shape — Funnel shaped. As a general matter,            stamen remnants are usually present within the calyx tube            and are located in a marginal position.        -   Core lines.—Generally — Present. These core lines are            distinct and clasping at the base of the calyx tube.        -   Fruit core.—Position — Considered distant from the stem end.        -   Fruit carpels.—Numbers — 5, and variable in form from            obovate to oval. The fruit carpels often have a mucronate            tip.        -   Fruit carpels.—Form — Considered closed and the inner            surface of the carpel wall is considered smooth. Fruit            carpel coloration. Not observed due to the rapid oxidation            and color change which occurs in this area when the fruit is            cut.        -   Seeds.—Numbers — Variable from 0 to 8. With full            pollination, the fruit of the present variety has the            potential of producing 10 seeds. Where no seeds are present            within the fruit, the fruit has been set by parthenocarpy.        -   Seeds.—Shape — Plump. Although in some carpels, only            shriveled seed coats were present. The seeds are ovate in            form with an acute tip.        -   Seeds.—Shape — Ovate in form with an acute tip.        -   Seeds.—Length — About 6.5 mm. to about 8.5 mm.        -   Seeds.—Width — About 2.5 mm. to about 3.5 mm.        -   Seeds.—Color — At harvest time the seeds have a variable            color from a light cream color (Fan 4, sheet 158-A); to a            light brown (Fan 4, sheet 161-B). After the fruit has            softened, the seeds darken to a dark brown (Fan 4, sheet            200-D).        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness — Considered relatively thick for the            species, that is, the skin of the fruit has a thickness            greater than the thickness of the skin in most fruit by            Pyrus communis, and somewhat grainy in texture. The skin of            the present variety is noticeably thicker than the fruit            skin as found on the fruit produced by the ‘Bartlett’ pear            tree (unpatented). This is not a distinguishing feature of            the present variety.        -   Fruit surface.—Appearance — Completely russetted.        -   Fruit skin adherence.—The fruit skin adheres to the flesh at            full commercial maturity.        -   Fruit skin color.—Progressing from a medium brown (Fan 4,            sheet 199-A) when the fruit is first matured on the tree;            but then lightening to an orange-brown (Fan 4, sheet 167-B)            after the fruit is picked and begins to soften. No blush or            ground color is visible on the fruit.        -   Fruit skin lenticels.—Numerous, small inconspicuous            lenticels are present throughout the skin surface.        -   Fruit skin lenticels.—Shape — Variable in shape and having a            generally globose form.        -   Fruit skin lenticels.—Color — Brown (Fan 4, sheet 168-C).            Occasionally, a very light bloom can be detected on some            fruit.        -   Flesh color.—White throughout the fruit (Fan 4, sheet            155-B).        -   Flesh texture.—Smooth and considered very juicy, and            occasionally a few stone cells may be found. Those stone            cells which are found are typically found in the fruit core            area and along the core lines.        -   Fruit flavor.—Generally — Considered very good, and sweet,            with a rich, somewhat spicy pear flavor. The fruit of the            present variety is more acidic then the fruit produced by            the ‘Bartlett’ pear tree (unpatented).        -   Aroma.—Generally — Sweet, distinct and pleasant.        -   Fruit storage.—The present variety hangs well on the tree            and ripens evenly after harvest. Early indications of the            present variety are that the storage ability is at least            equal to that of the fruit produced by the Bartlett pear            tree (unpatented).

-   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities    were noted. The present variety has not been tested to expose or    detect any susceptibilities or resistance to any known plant and/or    fruit diseases.

Although the new variety of pear tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Phoenix, Oreg., it should be understood that variations of theusual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes and growingconditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticulturalmanagement are to be expected. The foregoing description does notconstitute a commercial warranty. Consequently, this disclosure may notbe relied upon that the present variety, when grown, under conditionsother than Phoenix, Oreg. will display each of the characteristics asdescribed in the present application. Therefore, the foregoingdescription may not be relied upon to support claims of breach ofwarranty or merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose whichis directed to the present variety.

1. A new and distinct variety of pear tree substantially as illustratedand described and which is characterized principally as to novelty byproducing a russetted pear which is mature for harvesting and shipmentapproximately beginning on August 29^(th) to about September 14 underthe ecological conditions prevailing in Phoenix, Oreg.